Ramathra Fort has a commanding view of the countryside. One can sit on the top of the fort’s massive outer wall and look out over farmland, rugged scrub of the Daang plateau, Kalisil Lake and its irrigation canal. Sunrises are especially spectacular and at twilight one can watch herds returning from the jungle or the blue bull grazing in the forest scrub below.
Water birds are the big attraction of Kalisil Lake which lies along the same flyway as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary just 175 kms to the north. Besides being a rich feeding ground for ducks, storks and cormorants who visit every winter, there are plenty of local water fowl like kingfishers, sarus cranes, stilts and herons to see year round. Kalisil Lake is large. It was formed over 50 years ago when the Kalisil River was dammed for an irrigation scheme that now benefits farmers in Ramathra and its neighboring villages along the canal. The lake is fed by monsoon rains and when full, its spreads 17 kms from the dam all the way to the holy town of Kailadevi. Even when the monsoon is light there is sufficient water for boating. A two to three seater boat equipped with paddles and life-vests is available for rent with or without a guide to bird watch, search for crocodile dens and possible crocodile sightings. Bring your binoculars and your telephoto lens – this is reason enough to visit Ramathra fort.
Lake Views
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